Halloween in Toronto: Parties and Other Scary Good Times

Event date Throughout October (Halloween Night: Thursday, October 31, 2019)

Get spooky in Toronto with these tours, events, screenings and parties that go way beyond the usual. For good ghoulish fun, here are a handful of Halloween happenings.

Scary Attractions

Promenade through the immersive theatrical experience of Legends of Horror at Casa Loma as the audience winds its way through a 1.75 km trail starting in the lower gardens of the castle through the tunnels, turrets and darkest spaces never before open to the public. On the way you’ll encounter the legendary characters of horror brought to life by a multitude of actors. October 2018.

Brave your way through horrifying mazes, scare zones and live shows during the Halloween Haunt at Canada's Wonderland. 700 monsters will be prowling the park, looking for YOU. September 29 to October 31, 2018.

The Queen Elizabeth Building in Exhibition Place is turned into a haunted scream park during Screemers. Haunted houses, a wax museum and a Field of Screams all add to the maniacal mayhem. October 5 to 31, 2018.

Halloween Party on Church Street

The “gaybourhood” comes alive on Halloween as Church Street is closed to cars and open to outrageous. Drag queens, costumed revellers, and those who love them, all gather for the second biggest night of the year on the LGBT calendar (next to Pride). More info: Church-Wellesley Village website. October 31, 2018.

Take a Spine-Tingling Tour

The Haunted Walk offers a variety of tours exploring different legendary haunted sites including some of Toronto’s best ghost stories. Or try a Fact or Fiction Ghost Tour with the Tour Guys and get insight into what ghost investigators deal with when looking into reported hauntings as well as some of the natural phenomena that is mistaken for the paranormal.

The Rocky Horror Show Live /September 21 to November 17

Exhibitions, Film and Theatre

What better time than Halloween to get this rare glimpse into the world of our 8-legged foe/friends? Spiders: Fear and Fascination at the ROM entangles you in the world of spiders when you come face-to-face with nearly 400 amazing live and preserved arachnids. On now through January 6, 2019. And don’t miss the special Rom Friday Night Live event, Wicked on October 26, 2018.

The Toronto After Dark Film Festival showcases thrilling new sci-fi, horror, action and cult films all in one downtown location. Attendees can also look forward to lively Q&A sessions with visiting filmmakers, the popular Zombie Themed Night and Pub After Dark, the festival’s nightly after-screening social event where fans get to mingle with filmmakers and other guests. October 11 to 19, 2018.

Halloween wouldn’t be complete without the cult classic Rocky Horror Show and seeing it live is extra special. Do the Time Warp again at the Lower Ossington Theatre from September 21 to November 17.

Pumpkin Parades

A phenomenon that started in Toronto and that has now expanded to other cities in North America, the Pumpkin Parade happens on November 1 every year. Toronto residents bring their Jack-o-Lanterns to their local park in the evening and line them up along a path so people can stroll along and admire the awesome display. Sorauren Park in the west end is where it originated, but Pumpkin Parades now take place in about 40 parks around the city. It’s a fun way for locals and visitors alike to extend that spooky Halloween feeling.